software package Upgrade

[Benson]

Hi,

I am using the Fedora Core V3.0

I know there are some rpm packages installed in the OS. How can I
update or upgrade these rpm package with the latest source code
package ( not rpm packages ).

Thank you

[raagh...@yahoo.com]

It is best not to have packages installed by rpm updated by custom
built source. That would not necessarily be a upgrade in the sense of
the package...

Here is what I would do in decreasing order of difficulty and
preference from the system maintainability aspect:
0) Get a package manager like yum or aptget and let it handle the
upgrade. If it is not successful do one of the following
1) if there is an RPM (favorite mirror) for the version you are
looking for. If yes, rpm -Uvh it.. Doh!
ELSE
2) if there is a source rpm SRPM corresponding to the version you are
interested. If there is one:
rpmbuild <sourcerpm.src.rpm>
rpm -Uvh <the rpm generated in above step>
ELSE
3) download source, see if there is .spec file in the source
distribution. If yes:
rpmbuild <-t|-b> .... // Read man page for rpmbuild.
rpm -Uvh <the rpm generated in above step>
ELSE
4) download source and build it. If you can safely remove (without
breaking other dependencies) the older rpm, remove it and install the
new one. If not, install the new one in a path where you can easily
remove later (when packages become available)

hth,
Raghu